Abortion rights advocates invoke Alamo on T-shirt

Although a spokesman said the Alamo is “neutral in politics and politicians” as a historical site, its battle cry was invoked this week by Texans who oppose abortion legislation.

Sen. Kirk Watson’s new favorite shirt

“A foregone conclusion has never stopped a group of citizens committed to ideals of democracy and liberty from taking a stand and fighting with everything they’ve got,” reads an orange T-shirt that Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, tweeted a photo of on Sunday. “This is Texas, baby. Remember the Alamo.”

Watson posted the photo of his “new favorite T-shirt” on his blog Tuesday, but did not say where the shirt came from.

If the color-coded sides of the abortion debate weren’t clear before, the proverbial line in the sand has now been unmistakably drawn. Although those who oppose Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 2 have clearly adopted the story of San Antonio’s icon as their own, the General Land Office – which oversees the Alamo complex – ensures the Alamo hasn’t taken a stand.

From GLO spokesman Mark Loeffler:

“The Alamo has frequently been used as a metaphor in debate, sometimes by opposite sides of the same issue. While it is important that Texans remember the Alamo, it would be best that they remember it for the right reason: a key battle in 1836 that set the course for the future of Texas. Any other reliance on the phrase ‘Remember The Alamo’ to identify with a modern political cause, especially a divisive one like the pro-abortion movement, should be discouraged. As a historical site, the Alamo is neutral in politics and political issues.”